Ethiopian Shield

Hide, in a pattern.

The surface of this Ethiopian shield is a field of small raised dots, ring after ring, spreading out from a central boss like ripples in dark water. Two small marks sit above that boss and two below. East Africa, twentieth century, a little under two feet across and a good deal heavier-looking than it is.

The color is a deep, polished black-brown, the sort that comes from age and handling rather than from anyone’s brush.

Hang it where the light can skim across it.